Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso expressed disappointment after the narrow victory over Stellenbosch, lamenting missed opportunities that could have sealed the game earlier.

Sundowns edged out Stellenbosch in a Betway Premiership match at DHL Stadium on Wednesday. Iqraam Rayners, who previously played for Stellenbosch, scored the only goal of the game in the first half.

Despite the win, Sundowns moved three points clear at the top of the table, surpassing Orlando Pirates. However, Cardoso believes they should have extended their lead more significantly.

Both Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro Costa missed several clear-cut chances. Costa, in particular, squandered two opportunities, including a wide shot in the 38th minute and a miss from close range just before halftime.

“Everybody understands how difficult is to play here against the way aggressive team in terms of the way they play, always look for the long ball, not trying to build up the game, so quite difficult to press,” said Cardoso after the game on SuperSport TV, as this was his first league match for the African giants. 

“I think we managed during the first 30 minutes of the game, we were quite confident and comfortable to press high. It’s very difficult to keep that intensity. We felt a little bit the last 50 minutes of the first half. Anyway, we understood how we had to start again, using also the spaces that we could find in the back of their defense, we created many chances. I think the story of this game is our second goal that never appeared and should have appeared in the game. We created so much, so much, so much, but then in the end, we join ourselves, we hold on to the game on the result.  

“Today, I believe we could have finished it much sooner rather than the finalist the referee,” Cardoso added.

Sundowns now lead the Betway Premiership by 24 points, three points over Pirates, having played one more game. Their next two matches will be played in Durban: against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, followed by a clash with Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium four days later.